Typical Therapy Durations
Short-Term (6-20 sessions)
2-5 months (weekly sessions)
Focused on specific issues, symptom reduction, and skill-building. Common for CBT, solution-focused therapy.
Common for:
Anxiety, depression, specific phobias, adjustment issues, goal-focused work
Medium-Term (20-50 sessions)
6-12 months (weekly sessions)
More comprehensive work on patterns, relationships, and deeper issues.
Common for:
Complex anxiety/depression, relationship issues, trauma work, personality patterns
Long-Term (50+ sessions)
1+ years (weekly or biweekly sessions)
Deep, ongoing work on complex issues, personality patterns, and long-term growth.
Common for:
Complex trauma, personality disorders, deep-seated patterns, ongoing support
Factors That Affect Duration
- •Type and severity of concerns (more complex issues may take longer)
- •Type of therapy (CBT is often shorter, psychodynamic often longer)
- •Your goals (symptom reduction vs deep exploration)
- •Frequency of sessions (more frequent may shorten overall duration)
- •Your engagement and participation
- •External factors (support system, life circumstances)
- •Therapist's approach and style
Signs of Progress
You may be making progress if you notice:
- Reduction in symptoms or distress
- Better coping with challenges
- Improved relationships
- Greater self-awareness and understanding
- Feeling more able to manage emotions
- Improved daily functioning
- Achieving therapy goals
Talk to Your Therapist
The duration of therapy is highly individual. Discuss your goals and timeline with your therapist to set realistic expectations and adjust as needed.